Buzz Stocks: Tesla Motors,  3D Systems, and Ocwen

U.S. stocks are poised to continue yesterday's upward momentum, thanks to tailwinds out of Europe. Among the equities in focus, today's stocks to watch are electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), 3-D printer maker 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD), and mortgage lender Ocwen Financial Corp (NYSE:OCN).

• TSLA is slightly lower in pre-market action, on word that Daimler sold its 4% stake in the stock, and that auto-heavy Michigan banned direct sales of Tesla cars. So far in 2014, Tesla Motors Inc shares have added more than 56%, and recently bounced from their 200-day moving average -- a trendline that contained the equity's pullback in early May. Nevertheless, short-term option traders are extremely put-heavy, relatively speaking. The stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) sits at an annual high of 1.61, implying that TSLA's near-term speculators haven't been more put-biased during the past year. An unwinding of pessimism in the options pits could help TSLA resume its quest for record highs.


• DDD is bracing for an 11% plunge out of the gate, after the company issued lackluster quarterly sales guidance and cut its full-year revenue forecast. "We are disappointed that we failed to fully capitalize on the robust demand for our direct metal and consumer products during the quarter," said CEO Avi Reichental. On the charts, DDD has surrendered more than half its value in 2014, settling at $43.48 on Tuesday, and today's drop will most likely place the shares in annual-low territory. While bearish sentiment is prevalent for 3D Systems Corporation -- short interest accounts for close to one-third of the stock's total float -- a change of heart among analysts could exacerbate selling pressure on DDD. In fact, seven out of 16 brokerage firms harbor "strong buy" opinions, leaving the door wide open for potential downgrades.


• Finally, OCN is headed 5.5% lower, as shareholders continue to react to allegations that the company was stacking the proverbial deck against struggling borrowers. The shares of OCN dropped 18% yesterday to land at $21.48, after tagging a two-year low of $18.57 in intraday action, and analysts are adjusting their opinions and price targets accordingly. Moody's and S&P downgraded their credit ratings on OCN, and at least three brokerage firms issued price-target cuts this morning. Among them, BofA-Merrill Lynch slashed its target to $23 from $35 and downgraded Ocwen Financial Corp to "neutral" from "buy." A mass exodus of option bulls could also weigh on OCN. On the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the security's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 1.68 stands higher than 81% of all other readings from the past year, pointing to a growing bullish bias among option buyers of late. Short-term traders are paying a pretty penny, too, amid heightened expectations for volatility; the stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) sits at an annual peak of 106%.